Becoming a buddhist.

Davids · January 2010

For about a month I have been reading more about Buddhism and become more interested. Just a few questions. First off what are some websites I could go to , to learn about Buddhism? How are you nice to someone all the time? What is the best wayto really get into Buddhism.

I have been doing my best to be buddhist, but I have had no one to assist me with teachings. So I found this website. So if anyone has some tips they would share to me, I would appreciate them

thanks!

-David

Stephen · January 2010

Two of my favorites are AccessToInsight.org and BuddhaNet.net. As far as being nice all the time, that comes firstly as effort (guarding your speech and actions) and later with realization your thoughts themselves change and prevent ill-will from arising.

BrotherBob · January 2010

:):)

PietroPumokin · January 2010

on being nice to someone all the time, in buddhism there is the practice of cultivating compassion and love. at first you have love, but it is very crude at the least and prematurely developed, so you practice how to love people, get acquainted with that feeling which is your original nature, and you learn how to look at things from a loving perspective, to sympathize with people, hurdle over your delusions which are keeping you from loving people for who they are, and eventually come to appreciate everyone as equally beautiful and worth loving.

federica · January 2010

David s wrote: »

For about a month I have been reading more about Buddhism and become more interested. Just a few questions. First off what are some websites I could go to , to learn about Buddhism? How are you nice to someone all the time? What is the best wayto really get into Buddhism.

I have been doing my best to be buddhist, but I have had no one to assist me with teachings. So I found this website. So if anyone has some tips they would share to me, I would appreciate them thanks!

-David

How are we nice to someone "all the time...."?

Hmmm.. well, to be honest, I can't really declare - as a practising buddhist - that I am.
Buddhism doesn't necessarily mean you are 'nice' all the time. Though that would be a good goal to aim for, sure....
But it depends on the situation, and whether your "un-niceness" is done 'skilfully'.
Now - I know that sounds a bit odd, but occasionally, Buddhists can be harsh. However, the intention is important.
I have read about, and heard of teachers - Gurus and lamas - being somewhat harsh and abrupt, and seemingly having little kindness, at a specific moment.
but almost unfailingly, their moment of 'un-niceness' has been loaded with Compassion and a salutary lesson, too.
Sometimes, one has to be severe. When a child is misbehaving, or doing something that would be reckless, or dangerous, a parent will be angry, and shout, and chastise the child. That doesn't necessarily make them nasty, but theye're not being nice, either. However, one would hope their intention is for the good of the child, and they don't love them any the less.

However, our desire is to be able to develop selfless Compassion and unconditional Love for all sentient beings, and not hold anger, animosity or resentment in our hearts and minds for people.
We don't necessarily aim to be 'nice' all the time - but we do take to our hearts the teachings of the Buddha concerning Suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the importance of achieving Serenity and hapiness, in order to bring it to others, also.
Can't say it's an altogether smooth and easy ride though!

welcome, nice to meet you! Hope you stick around!

Now-Is-reality · January 2010

I like the videos Brother Bob posted... as well as A Guide to Dharma Talks Online is a good thread to check out. http://www.buddhaweb.org/ is good with the core teachings. And if you go to buddhanet.net the world buddhist directory can help you find a monestry or center that is close to you, if you look to the right of the page, right under audiophile (which has some really nice talks, chanting and other various things you can download!) it has "buddhist studies." You can find a lot of nice basic buddhism readings. Best of luck!

Davids · January 2010

I worded it strange when I said "nice all the time". I just meant how to show kindness when someone is rude to you. @ federica- I believe I see what your saying. Sometimes you have to be mean in order to make the person realize something. @ brother bob- thank you for the videos! I have only watched the first but am captivated and plan on watching the rest. @aldrisang and now-is-reality, thank you for the links! They are great refrences for me. By the way when I said "nice all the time" I meant having tolerence to others. Thank you for the help! I will still take what anybody else can say

have a good evening/day/night!

MatSalted · January 2010

David s wrote: »

For about a month I have been reading more about Buddhism and become more interested. Just a few questions. First off what are some websites I could go to , to learn about Buddhism? How are you nice to someone all the time? What is the best wayto really get into Buddhism.

I have been doing my best to be buddhist, but I have had no one to assist me with teachings. So I found this website. So if anyone has some tips they would share to me, I would appreciate them thanks!

-David

All good advice I'm sure above. I believe that focussing on the four noble truths and really understanding them is very key. If you have that "down" then it is a good conceptual framework to work with your other Dharmic progresses and practices:)

Another tip: Practice Mediation lots! And mindfullness and metta:)

Mat

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